Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-01-27
WANTED "A CLUE.
CHAPTER /.

"Companion required for young
lady; must be cheerful, musical and of
good family; salary, EGO per annum. u
Such was the advertisement my Aunt
Margaret read out to me one morning rs
we sat at breakfast in her neat little
house in London.
am the orphan daughter of a mission
ary, and my aunt's was the only home l
had ever known. For the past three
years 1 had been resident governess in a
wealthy family in Yorkshire, but my
employers purse-proud arrogance was
to) much for my self-respect, and l had
to leave, resolving if possible to try and
obtain a post as companion.
Tempted by the excellent salary Of
fered l at once wrote to the address in
dicated. Promptly received reply
from Mr.. Foster of Great Gorton Hall,
Wes.ernshire. He stated that compan.
ionship was required for his stepdaugh.
ter, Miss Thorndyke, delicate girl of
eighteen, who resided with him and his
widowed sister, Mrs. Morrell; her
mother, his dear late wife, having died
the previous year. He added that my
requirements and credentials were sat-
isfactory, and requested to know whether
/ had ever been in Westernshire, and if
1 had any friends or connections there.
replied that was an entire stranger
to the country and to all the people in
it, and in few days l was overjoyed at
receiving the nomination to the post,
for l was unwilling to be burden on
my aunts slender means.
Gorton Hall was fine building of
gray stone, standing in beautiful grounds
on the outskirts of "a pretty country vii.
age. l was shown into spacious
drawing. room where middle-aged lady
n bla * greeted me pleasantly, intro
iucing herself as Mrs. Morrell. She
kindly bade me be seated and sent a
servant in search of her brother.
Mr.. Foster was q hne.looking man,
With iron-gray hair and a keen and
Iearching expression-a man whom |
nstinctively felt it would be dangerous
offend. His manner to me, like his
listers, was courtesy itself. He eA.
,lained the duties expected from me.
And one thing more 1 must add, Miss
Armitage," he said, in conclusion--"al-
hough willing to concede everything
easonabe, there is one thing l cannot
permit in members of my household
,ossipipg with strangers concerning my
amily. l prefer that my daughters
companion should have no friends or
lcquaintances in this ighborhood; and
must request that during your resi-
lence here you will discourage any in.
imacy which people at Gorton or any
# the neighboring villages may seek to
Establish with you. have seen somuch
mischief caused by gossip and title.
attle that am obliged to request this. "
The stipulation seemed very reason
bile one, and 1 readily acceded to it.
Mr.. Foster then went OF to speak OF his
tepdaughter.
sour darling Edith is not so strong as
We could wish, aud, indeed, is frequent
y confined to the sofa. The doctor
orders her to keep early hours and avoid
Ill excitement; she therefore goes but
title into society; but we hope the
,ompanionship of bright and lively
girl will prove beneficial. Keep her
amused and happy, Miss Armitage, and
we ask no more from you"
l found my future charge in the draw.
ing g.room when descended dressed for
dinner. She was fragile. looking Great.
ure, with light hair and large blue eyes.
She greeted me very kindly. Her man.
ner was childish, considering her age;
but I was much relieved not to find a
fine, fashionable young lady. She was
= s.xs So
We had musical evening. Mrs.
Morrell and executed several duets on
the piano, accompanied by Mr.. Foster
on the violin, which he played very
well. Edith kissed me good night, and
before l went to rest l sat down and
wrote to my aunt in glowing terms,
saying that Gorton Hall was an ear thly
paradise.
Nor did l see reason to change my
opinion for many weeks. 1 soon felt
perfectly at ease in my new home. Edith
was so gentle, SO unassupiug, and so
considerate that it was impossible not to
love her; and Mr.. Foster and his sister
were most kind. l was treated as q
gentle woman and an equal, and my
duties were very light. being chiefly to
drive Edith in pretty pony carriage,
to play duets, and occasionally to read
aloud.
We did not mix very much in society,
although Mrs. Morrell received due
amount of calls from the ladies in the
heighborhood. A few quiet garden
parties and dinners were the limit of
our designations on Edih's account. l
was always included in any scheme of
pleasure, and Mr.. Foster made quite O
point of introducing me to all visitors.
There was fine old church in the
village, TO which we all went on Sun
days. 1t was mile and half across
the fields; but we usually drove, on ac-
count of Edith. l had been nearly six
months at the Hall, when one fine Sun.
day morning in July it fell to my lot to
90 to church alone, for the first time
since my arrival. Mr.. Foster was in
London, Edith had headache, and
Mrs. Morrell would not leave her, al
though she was urgent that should go.
The service over, was returning across
the first field when heard steps behind
me, and gentleman's voice said, "Miss
Armitage.
turned around in surprise, to see a
young man who was perfect stranger
to me. Lifting his hat politely, he
begged for the honor of few words
with me.
was both amazed and indignant, and
somewhat lottily informed him that ]
was not in the habit of conversing with
total strangers; so saying, l walked on,
when he interrupted me and begged me
to listen, for Edith Thorndyke's sake.
''My father, DIR. Archer, was her 70.
theirs oldest friend, Miss Armitage.